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[jackieRN]

For the oclt tests it needs to be dark for both.
If you test at 8/9 pm & you’re close to slam level just record your results and call it good & then again before the rooster crows in the am.

To clarify, based on the schedule you gave-
Test at 3 —> replenish fc to slam level
Test at 7 —> replenish fc to slam level
Test at 8/9 —> record & let it ride

Also, you’re doing fantastic

Sorry o saw this after I posted.

 

[jackieRN]

Just tested and FC is down to 17 from 24 this am- it’s hot and sunny. Ran the dolphin 3 hours. Bag wasn’t dirty just a few bugs and a little bit of soot but the soot settled on the steps again. I added 1 gallon of 10% and I now have the 12.5 percent I’ll add when I check tonight.
For this last one I should wait till sundown and add what’s needed and then check for loss in the am?

Sorry I saw your reply already

 

[needsajet]

You're getting great tips, and will make progress within a few days. Don't forget the regular brushing with your pool brush on the long pole - at least daily, including being sure to brush the seams where you see discoloration. Brushing more often is better.

Have you removed the steps / ladder and cleaned those?

 

[jackieRN]

You're getting great tips, and will make progress within a few days. Don't forget the regular brushing with your pool brush on the long pole - at least daily, including being sure to brush the seams where you see discoloration. Brushing more often is better.

Have you removed the steps / ladder and cleaned those?

I’m brushing and using the dolphin. Unfortunately I’m injured and cannot pull the ladder out. My husband just had a shoulder surgery so he can’t either. I did get in and brushed the plastic steps I didn’t see anything at all but I understand I might not. I’m still in slam mode so I’ll see what happens between tonight and early tomorrow regarding FC loss. CC is still zero and I’m crystal clear it’s the overnight thing

 

[needsajet]

CC doesn't mean much. It's the overnight FC that tells you that you have algae.

If possible, hire a handyman or lean on a family member, friend or neighbor to help with the stairs. It's almost certain there's an algae farm in there. Chlorine is highly unlikely to kill that algae for two reasons.

The chlorine level will be very low inside anything submerged in the water because the water is not being circulated. Second, algae coexists with other algae species and organisms that create a biofilm, which protects the algae from the chlorine. Brushing or other disruption breaks the biofilm layer so that chlorine can penetrate and kill all of the algae and other organisms.

The SLAM process is a method which kills everything, making the pool easy to look after.

Shocking the pool (sudden high chlorine, one and done type of thing) can not achieve this when there's hidden algae.

 

[jackieRN]

So at 7:30 FC was 17 and my slam should be 24 so I added based on pool math.
At 9:30 I go to measure fc so I can see what’s lost overnight. The fc turned deep purple and after 60 drops I decided I did something wrong. So I tried again and the fc would not start training lighter even as i approached 60 drops or 30fc - I’ve read another thread that said it’s ok to test every 2 hours- I can’t understand how my fc got that high when I used 48 ounces of 10 percent. Now I’m lost as to what to do except measure Tomorrow all day and start the overnight test again.

 

[needsajet]

Could you clarify or rewrite the FC results including the AM and PM part?

I forgot to mention, while you have the FC high, if there are vent holes underwater in the steps, and you happen to have a submersible pump, set that up to shoot pool water through there. It wiill do some fair bit of good, not enough, but will help.

On FC, give it time. The FC will come down.

 

[jackieRN]

Could you clarify or rewrite the FC results including the AM and PM part?

I forgot to mention, while you have the FC high, if there are vent holes underwater in the steps, and you happen to have a submersible pump, set that up to shoot pool water through there. It wiill do some fair bit of good, not enough, but will help.

On FC, give it time. The FC will come down.

Added 5 gallons 10 percent last night and fc this am was 17. Added the suggested amount to get to 24. Tested it at 7pm and it was over 30. The reagent was so red it was purple and by the time I added 60 drops I thought something was wrong. I tested twice and did not keep adding reagent after 60 drops as I’ll run out. So I won’t know if I lost fc overnight.

 

[needsajet]

OK, thanks. 9am is usually too late in the day for testing FC after the OCLT. Around sunrise or before is good.

5 gallons of 10% chlorine in 20,000 gals will add 26 ppm FC, to whatever FC is already there.

For example, if you already had 17 ppm FC, you would add around 1.4 gallons (180 ounces) to get to 24 ppm FC

When concerned about running out of FC testing supplies, there's a couple of things. First up, you likely want to order some more. It keeps fairly well. If you keep the powder dry and the reagent bottle out of the sun and/or indoors, it will work fine for a couple of years. You can skip the re-testing after adding chlorine once you're sure of the calculations, and/or closer to needing another OCLT. That will come after you're pretty sure you're not getting overnight loss anymore.

Swimming is fine, but don't go over the required SLAM level FC number of 24 ppm FC for your current SLAM.

 

[jackieRN]

OK, thanks. 9am is usually too late in the day for testing FC after the OCLT. Around sunrise or before is good.

5 gallons of 10% chlorine in 20,000 gals will add 26 ppm FC, to whatever FC is already there.

For example, if you already had 17 ppm FC, you would add around 1.4 gallons (180 ounces) to get to 24 ppm FC

When concerned about running out of FC testing supplies, there's a couple of things. First up, you likely want to order some more. It keeps fairly well. If you keep the powder dry and the reagent bottle out of the sun and/or indoors, it will work fine for a couple of years. You can skip the re-testing after adding chlorine once you're sure of the calculations, and/or closer to needing another OCLT. That will come after you're pretty sure you're not getting overnight loss anymore.

Swimming is fine, but don't go over the required SLAM level FC number of 24 ppm FC for your current SLAM.

Ok. Last night at 10 I tested and I couldn’t even get the red to go away with 60 drops but this morning it is 19ppm so I used the calculator and added -12.5 percent it was like 98 ounces or something )as a nurse I don’t think in ounces anymore ) anyway I did still see some black on the seams I’m feeling now I have some black algae… it puffs when I touch it. There’s hardly any at all but there’s no other explanation.
Anyway- I’m wondering should I use my hose and vacuum to the filter and change it or the dolphin? I’ve been using the dolphin and sterilizing the bag afterwards and wiping the machine down but maybe today I should use the hose vacuum and then spouse will be home to change the filter. And I’ll ask for help to remove ladder.
Also I read it’s ok to swim in 24 fc? I can scrub the eyeballs easier that way.

 

[needsajet]

It's safe to swim up to SLAM level FC, which depends on your CYA level. I've done it heaps - 99% of the time you won't even notice you're SLAMing. You might detect chloramine smell on your skin if you've been sweating a lot and jump in to cool off (ammonia in sweat combining with chlorine = combined chlorine which has that typical public pool smell (CCs). Chlorine itself is odorless. The other conditions are clear enough to see a swimmer on the bottom at the deepest spot, and pH from 7.2 to 8.0

You can switch to metric in pool math, by going to settings and changing your pool volume to 75,000 litres, but then when seeking advice, you may need to mention both sets of numbers.

I'd put my money on normal green algae, with some inside the steps, but even if it is black algae, the procedures are the same, other than after the SLAM.

 

[jackieRN]

Ok so this morning before sun about7:30 was at 19 fc and added the advised amount of 12.5 now 3 hours later I cannot get a reading- I used 90 drops ! Of 0871 twice and quit. What’s going on? Can’t possibly be that high. I do believe I’m seeing dead algae finally tho. Will run dolphin. Gray clumps but only on one seam so not too much

 

[Texas Splash]

3 hours later I cannot get a reading- I used 90 drops !

Something isn't right, that's for sure. You've done this many times, but perhaps there's a simple explanation. Take step back and make sure you are doing the following:

10 ml water sample size with one generous scoop of powder. Add the R-0871 drops while mixing until it goes clear. Divide result in half. Example: 40 drops to clear equals an FC of 20.

 

[Texas Splash]

If you see no difference in what I noted above, do an FC test on your tap water and report back that number please.

 

[jackieRN]

Something isn't right, that's for sure. You've done this many times, but perhaps there's a simple explanation. Take step back and make sure you are doing the following:

10 ml water sample size with one generous scoop of powder. Add the R-0871 drops while mixing until it goes clear. Divide result in half. Example: 40 drops to clear equals an FC of 20.

Exactly. I do that. I have the magnetic stir rod too. I use one generous scoop in 10mls. It just kept getting almost deeper red as I added drops- this happened last night too after adding chlorine. but this morning it tested normally. I waited at least 2-3 hours after adding the chlorine’s -I rinse my testing tube with pool water first each time so no contaminants. Makes no sense.

 

[jackieRN]

If you see no difference in what I noted above, do an FC test on your tap water and report back that number please.

Ok just saw this will do

 

[jackieRN]

Ok just saw this will do

Tap water- slight tint of pink took one drop 00871 to clear

Also - is the bottom of the meniscus at 10 before the rod is put in or is that really small potatoes? Like I sometimes put the water meniscus bottom at the 10 with the rod in. lol I have ocd. Maybe doesn’t matter.

 

[Texas Splash]

Maybe doesn’t matter.

Not a deal breaker. I use the bottom of the curve.

 

[Texas Splash]

Give me a minute to review your test logs.

 

[Texas Splash]

So at 7:30 FC was 17 and my slam should be 24 so I added based on pool math.

So let's make sure of this first.. When you had to get back to an FC of 24 (from 17), did you add only the 7 ppm (1 Gal 2 cups) required to get back to 24, or did you mistakenly let the APP tell you how much chlorine was 24 ppm (almost 4 gallons)?